THE CHURCH CONNECTION

Transcription

1 THE CHURCH CONNECTION First United Methodist Church of Seminole Volume 22 Issue 2 February, 2018 IN THIS ISSUE: From the Pastor 1 Church Council 2 As beautiful as the English language, whether written or spoken, can be there are still times when our language falls short in conveying proper meaning to our words. Since February is the month of love allow me to give you an example of what I mean. The Western world has just one word for love and we use the same word to convey a multitude of different meanings. We love Rocky Road ice cream or a Tootsie Roll. We love coffee or Dr. Pepper. In the same manner, we love our pets or beloved sports team, then of course we love our family members, spouse or significant others. UMM & UMW 3 News 4 Calendar 5 Contact Info 6 Now, I know we understand there is a different meaning when talking about love for a favorite drink and the love of a spouse, but we still use the same word. To a non-english speaking individual, it can be a little confusing. The ancient Greek culture didn t have this trouble because they had four words for love and each made a clear distinction from the other. The Greek words for love were storge (store-gay), philia (phil-a-ah), eros (air-ross) and agape (ah-gah-pay). Storge is the type of love we have for things food, pets, movies, etc. It is an empathetic love. Philia is the bond of friendship. You might recall a famous city here in our country that is known as the city of brotherly love Philadelphia. Eros is the love between two people. It is sensual and erotic. Agape is an unconditional love usually used in the context of God s love for the human race. John 3:16 describes it best when the apostle says: For God so loved (agape) the world, that he gave his only begotten son C.S. Lewis, the British theologian who gave us the Chronicles of Narnia, dealt with these four ideas of love in two books, The Four Loves and Till We Have Faces. Either book would be great reading for the Lenten season which begins February 14 th. In this month when we have set aside a day to show love to those special people in our lives let s not forget that the love we have for each other pales in comparison to the love our Heavenly Father has for us. Agape is the highest love of all and it is deeper than a $5 paper card and a box of chocolates. In Christ s Peace, Pastor Mark ATTENDANCE SS Worship Jan Jan Jan Jan AVERAGE SS 56 WORSHIP 84

2 Page 2 THE CHURCH CONNECTION CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES... Sunday, January 7, 2018 Attendance: Lola Davisson, Debbie Hallum, Charles Lindsey, Marilyn Lindsey, Donna Magruder, Jenny Morgan, Sandy Peters, Jane Ann Pyron, Marilyn Stewart, Lisa Watson, Mark Watson and Janelle Zehren. Charles Lindsey asked about how the committees voted about the scheduling of meetings. The Finance Committee is going to continue to meet monthly on the 3rd Mondays. All other committees voted to go to the Super Sunday schedule -- saying that the meetings would need to be after the Finance Committee meets during that month so that their report would be available. Trustee s Report (Jenny Morgan or Dale Auld) It was reported that there are two projects that need attention at this time -- blower on the organ needs to be replaced and the exhaust fan in the kitchen needs a new motor. Staff-Parish Relations Committee (Marilyn Stewart) Marilyn reported that we are still looking for a pianist. She also reported that the committee interviewed Betsy Dooley and are recommending her for candidacy to the ministry. A special charge conference with Dr. Tener is scheduled for Sunday, January 21st where the church will vote. Lay Leadership Committee (Rev. Mark Watson) Pastor Mark reported that the Lay Leadership Committee is recommending Charlotte Horton for the Staff Parish Relations Committee in the Class of She was approved. Children s Ministries (Dee Tedrick) ABSENT Lisa Watson reported that they will be meeting with the Sunday School teachers about switching to a free curriculum available on the internet. All classes would have the same lesson -- on their level. They also talked about Earth Day projects and set VBS for June 10-14, Youth Ministries (Tracy Jacomo) ABSENT United Methodist Women (Lola Davisson) Lola reported that they met last Wednesday. Beginning in February they will be meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. They will have installation of officers at the next meeting. She also said that the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be on February 13th. United Methodist Men (Wallace Gates) ABSENT Worship Committee -- (Sandy Peters) She also said that the Christmas Program will be open for everyone in the church to participate. Lisa Watson announced that we now have two complete sets of colors for the acolytes. Sandy added that they will be purchasing banners for Easter and paraments for Advent and Christmas. She also suggested that we get a new Bible for the altar (the binding on the current one is in poor condition). Social Committee (Janelle Zehren) Janelle reported that they had a covered dish luncheon on New Year's Eve following worship. Evangelism & Prayer Committee (Gwen Gates) ABSENT Visitation Committee -- (Lola Davisson) -- Lola reported that they will be visiting tomorrow. Ideas Group (Marilyn Lindsey) -- Marilyn explained that this will be an online group, to keep track of ongoing projects. They will also be accepting ideas. Jane Ann Pyron, Sandy Peters and Lisa Watson volunteered to work with this group. Lisa also spoke about collecting medicine bottles for countries that do not have them available. Pastor's Report -- (Rev. Mark Watson) Pastor Mark spoke about the generosity of this congregation -- adopting the family for Christmas and getting to deliver bicycles to the children, helping with a place to stay and clothing for a recently released prisoner from Holdenville, and thanked everyone for the meals provided while Lisa recovered from her surgery. He challenged us to look for a "God-sized dream" for this church. He believes that the best days for this church are ahead and that we need to be ready and willing to act when God tells us what we need to do. Mark also presented paperwork for a "Wellness Policy" that we've been working on with Claudia Willis. It was approved. Pastor Mark reported that Weight Watchers is no longer meeting here. He has been in contact with them about a reason, and they said that it was because our rental rates were going up. He told them that the increase has not been approved and that only the Church Council can make that decision. Misc. Business Marilyn Lindsey brought up the fact that so many members of the Church Council do not attend the meetings. It was recommended that committee members should try to attend and if they cannot attend for some reason that they send a substitute to give the report or their report to the church so that we have a report from every committee at the meetings. It was asked what an "at-large" member of a committee meant. Pastor Mark explained that it is people picked for a committee even though they are not on the committee because of an office held. They are voting members of the committee. FULL MINUTES ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE. CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING ARE OPEN MEETINGS... EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND. FINANCES NEEDED WEEKLY $ 3, RECEIVED January 7..$ 3, January 14 $ January 21 $ 1, January 28 $ 4, If you have any questions about the finances of the church, please feel free to speak with Mark Schell, Treasurer; or Lola Davisson, Chairman of the Finance Committee. Copies of the current budget are in the display outside the Treasurer s office. MISSIONS PAID: %

3 THE CHURCH CONNECTION Page 3 President... LOLA DAVISSON UNITED METHODIST WOMEN Wednesday February 21st 9:30am (UMW is now meeting on the 3rd Wednesday.) Saturday February 10th 8:00am ALL MEN ARE WELCOME! President... WALLACE GATES A NOTE RECEIVED FROM MICHAEL VASQUEZ... Our congregation helped provide clothes for Michael in anticipation of his being released from prison. Pastor Mark Hi, Pastor. This is Michael Vasquez. I m writing you because I would like to extend my utmost appreciation to you for assisting me with some clothes to discharge in. Thank you. Lately I have really been stressed out because I m getting out of prison soon. I ve been in prison since I was 18. I m now 28. I look forward to starting over. You and my case manager, Mr. Sean Morgan, have really lifted by spirits and faith! You two are the only ones who have helped me. I remember I was stressing on where I was going to go when I got out and stressing on clothes. Mr. Morgan told me not to worry. The Lord will provide! And He did. Thank you, Pastor Mark. I really do appreciate your help. I know you don t know who I am, but I wanted to ask you if you can keep me in your prayers and on a path to righteousness. I really want to change my life and do good. Once again, thank you. Well, I m ending this and depart as I entered with my utmost respects, thanks, and appreciation. God Bless! Michael Vasquez SUPER SUNDAY SCHEDULE Second Quarter April 22, 2018 Third Quarter July 15, 2018 Fourth Quarter October 21, 2018 IF NEEDED December 9, 2018 Wednesday Night Bible Study began on January 17th. We are looking at Adam Hamilton s book, Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn t Say! If you would like to order a book, please let Mark know ASAP. The cost is $13.50 per book.

4 Page 4 THE CHURCH CONNECTION Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for the scholarship and the support you have shown me growing up. I am truly blessed to have grown up in FUMC Seminole. Julianne Zehren GROUND HOG FESTIVAL Saturday, February 3, 2018 Lunch 11am to 1pm Supper 5pm to 7pm $8 each tickets at the door UMW SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER February 13, pm CARE PACKAGES FOR SOLDIERS The children are starting a service project to send care packages to soldiers stationed overseas. They are writing letters and drawing pictures to include in the packages. They need help getting items to include in the packages and help with shipping costs. See below for a partial list of items than can be put in the packages. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated. Peanut butter pretzels Beef Jerky Chex Mix Small bottles of Mountain Dew Nuts Hard Candy Playing Cards Card Games Word Searches Crosswords Cash Cards to use at Base Locations For more information, please contact Dee Tedrick. ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE February 14, :30pm

5 THE CHURCH CONNECTION Page 5 FEBRUARY, 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Ground Hog Festival Child/Youth-5:30 Bible Study-6:00 Joybells-7: UMM SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE-6:30 VALENTINE S DAY Finance-6: UMW Child/Youth-5:30 VBS Mtg-6:00 Bible Study-6:00 Joybells-7: Child/Youth-5:30 Bible Study-6:00 Joybells-7:00 REGULAR CHURCH CALENDAR Sundays... 9:30am Sunday School 10:45am Worship 4:00pm Disciple Bible Study 03 Herb Gunter 05 Darlene Wallace 06 Jay Branham 07 Taylor Peters 07 Beckham Schell 11 Parker Little 13 Luke Gillespie 15 Scott Gates 15 Danae Hodges 17 Rob Pyron 19 Matt Waltman 23 Conlan Decker 26 Dee Tedrick 28 Tracy Jacomo 17 Ray & Tracy Jacomo Are you and your family not listed in our birthday and anniversary lists? 2nd & 4th Sundays... 9:00am Breakfast Wednesdays... 5:30pm Children/Youth 6:00pm Bible Study 7:00pm Joybells Practice 2nd & 4th Saturdays... Youth Service Project

6 First United Methodist Church of Seminole First United Methodist PO Box 1314 Seminole, OK W. Wrangler Blvd. P. O. Box 1314 Seminole, OK Phone: suddenlinkmail.com Website: seminolefumc.com Facebook: Fumc Seminole Oklahoma Okla. Conference Website: okumc.org Heartland District C H U R C H N E W S Newsletters are available in the narthex & east entrance at the beginning of each month. They are also attached to our website (seminolefumc.com) under the Info Center tab. OUR SYMPATHY to the families of DANA HADDICAN and MARY BEN MARSHALL CHURCH STAFF Bishop Dr. Jimmy Nunn Heartland D.S. Dr. Greg Tener Senior Pastor Rev. Mark Watson Minister All the Congregation Children s Director Dee Tedrick Custodian..Esther Gomez Liturgical Colors.Charlotte Horton Music Director...Sandy Peters Nursery Attendant...Amy Darr Office Manager Donna Magruder Organist..David Larson Sunday School Supt..Lola Davisson Treasurer.. Mark Schell Youth Director.Tracy Jacomo 2nd & 4th 9am